Did the Tathagata Attain the Dharma from Dipankara Buddha?

Original text of the Diamond Sutra: The Buddha said to Subhuti, "What do you think? Did the Tathagata attain anything when he was with Dipankara Buddha?" "No, World-Honored One. When the Tathagata was with Dipankara Buddha, he truly attained nothing in terms of Dharma."

The Buddha said to Subhuti, "What is your view on this? Did the Tathagata, in the past while with Dipankara Buddha, attain anything in the Dharma?" Subhuti replied, "The Tathagata attained nothing in the Dharma, World-Honored One. When with Dipankara Buddha, the Tathagata truly attained nothing in the Dharma."

Our teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha, attained the Eighth Ground Bodhisattva stage under Dipankara Buddha and received the prophecy of Buddhahood. Clearly, he attained the Dharma of the Eighth Ground Bodhisattva and received the prophecy—both appear as attainments. Why then is it said that nothing was attained? Because while these events exist in the phenomenal realm, in the realm of ultimate truth, they are without substance. The phenomenal realm is empty, manifested by the vajra prajna mind—existing yet not existing. The Tathagata’s mind was also empty of any dharma, free from any attachment, without the notion of truly attaining the Dharma or receiving the prophecy. Had the Tathagata regarded this as real, his mind would have been bound by the Dharma, failing to realize the illusory nature of attainment. Then he would not have been an Eighth Ground Bodhisattva and would have been unworthy of the prophecy. Precisely because the Tathagata possessed the realization of an Eighth Ground Bodhisattva, with a mind empty, non-active, and devoid of objects, Dipankara Buddha conferred upon him the prophecy of Buddhahood.

Ordinary people cannot comprehend this: how could the Tathagata, having attained such profound Dharma, claim to have attained nothing? How could he regard the prophecy of Buddhahood—such a monumental event—as nothing, without the slightest attachment or thought? What kind of mind is this! An ordinary person encountering such an event would surely be elated, excited, and eager to spread the news. Of course, this is the mindset of an ordinary being who has not realized the true nature of reality—a mindset of attachment to attainment. It is precisely because of this that such individuals neither attain the Dharma nor receive prophecies. The Buddha’s mind is perfectly clear, his vision luminous; he does not casually bestow prophecies upon people.